Walking Shadow
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama
What's done cannot be undone.
Walking Shadow
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama
3 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,310 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
17 supporters | followers
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What's done cannot be undone.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Our story follows Donovan, a young, mentally unstable theater actor, who wants to shine in his role as Macbeth, unaware that a lobotomy arranged by his mother, Lillian, will make it his last performance.
After a family lunch goes horribly wrong, Lillian realizes that drastic measures must be taken to address her son’s psychological issues. As Donovan prepares for his performance, he must confront his anger and desire for attention as it alienates him from the ones he cares about.
By exploring themes of ambition and violence, like those in Macbeth, Donovan's downfall mirrors that of Shakespeare's character. We hope that this story also sheds light on the moral dilemmas many parents face in handling complicated children.
This film is about a lobotomy, a gruesome procedure that took away the soul of my great-uncle, altering the course of his life forever. He was a teenager who had OCD. The lobotomy was performed without his knowledge or consent. His mother, my great-grandmother, was promised a "miracle cure" from a salesman-like doctor. She had no idea of the repercussions.
With a pick and a hammer, this doctor, working from an office, not an operating theater, left my great-uncle emotionally blunted and hollow. What was once a passionate and creative soul became, effectively, a walking shadow. It is through this film I hope to give him a voice.
With too few exceptions, I have not seen a film that deals with lobotomy as anything more than a plot device, a ‘weapon’ to be used against the protagonist. I think the lobotomy represents social conformity, a key theme of my film and something Donovan virulently opposes; it is a mechanism of molding a person into a servant, a square peg in a square hole that blurs the line between peaceful and passive.
Alarmingly, I still see this need for control over peoples’ bodies today – in politics and private lives – which is why this story needs to be told.
We are aiming to raise $5000 to help cover major production costs, including camera rentals, locations, catering, and transportation.
- If we raise an additional $2000, we will be able to secure our grip and electric equipment, production design and costumes!
- If we raise an additional $4000, we will be able to put more funds towards distribution and post-production costs, such as color grading!
Share this Seed&Spark with your family, friends, and community. Or, you can follow our Instagram, @walkingshadowfilm for more production updates. We’re grateful for you all!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Transportation
Costs $1,000
The team wants to have the crew and equipment get to set promptly. Transportation costs will help cover this.
Cast & Crew Meals
Costs $1,500
Every day on set, the cast & crew look forward to lunch. We want to make sure that the wait is worth it with great food!
Camera Rentals
Costs $1,000
By renting camera equipment, the team will be able to further immerse the audience in the world of Walking Shadow.
Locations
Costs $1,500
We want the audience to feel fully immersed in the 1950s and the world of Walking Shadow. Securing the best locations will help with this!
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director/Editor: Jasper Gabay
Jasper Gabay is an Australian-born, New York-based filmmaker studying as a senior at New York University. Jasper has a passion for writing, directing, and editing – stemming from an appreciation of rhythm through playing percussion. Jasper loves to tell psychological stories that deal with the contradictions between objective and subjective truth. He has edited award-winning NYU thesis films and has recently edited commercial and feature films for Lost and Found Production and Scheimpflüg.
Producer: Tess Rechtweg
Tess Rechtweg is a fourth-year Film and TV student at NYU Tisch, concentrating in producing with a minor in Business Studies. Her love of filmmaking came from Tess and her dad watching classic movies together as a kid, and she hasn’t stopped watching since. As well as being the president of NYU’s Student Producers Association, Tess has been involved in the production of over 30 films. Tess is an alumnus of the prestigious Television Academy Foundation Internship Program. She has previously interned with Likely Story and Shondaland. Tess is inspired by the works of Jonathan Demme, Greta Gerwig, Rob Reiner, and Wes Anderson. She hails from Long Island, NY.
Producer: Haley Bowland
Haley Bowland is a recent graduate of NYU Tisch. Passionate about producing short films, Haley has found herself working with so many incredible directors and crew members through NYU thesis film projects. During her time at school, she interned with NBCU’s Photography Department as well as their Graphic Design Department and just recently spent three months in DC as an Executive Assistant for a non-profit. Back in NYC, Haley is excited to continue working with more films and expanding her network of collaborators.
Director of Photography: Cole Fletchall-Silva
Cole Fletchall-Silva is a cinematographer at NYU Tisch School of the Arts in his senior year. Born in the Bay Area and based in NYC, Cole has worked on numerous short films, music videos and commercials. He recently shot his first feature film. Raised on intimate character films of the 70s, Cole is excited to bring his film literacy and on-set experience to help tell the story of “Walking Shadow.”
Production Designer: Destini Gaeckler
Destini Gaeckler is an NYU Tisch Film and TV major specializing in Production Design. She has five years of experience working in the production design field working on multiple undergraduate and graduate thesis films. As a production designer, Destini is dedicated to perfecting every visual detail of the projects, from creating blueprints to building set pieces. With her background in Shakespearean theatre, she is excited to bring her knowledge and expertise to “Walking Shadow.”
Costume Designer: Sophia Guerrera
Sophia is a self-taught costumer and recent graduate of Steven’s institute of technology with a BA in Visual Art & Technology. In school, she studied design ranging from digital and print branding to 3D sculptural fine art. Outside of school, she creates large-scale, multimedia costume replicas that have traveled the northeast and won multiple awards at costuming competitions. Her passion for costuming and design education has allowed her to work on various short films, advertising, and music sets as both a stylist and costumer.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Our story follows Donovan, a young, mentally unstable theater actor, who wants to shine in his role as Macbeth, unaware that a lobotomy arranged by his mother, Lillian, will make it his last performance.
After a family lunch goes horribly wrong, Lillian realizes that drastic measures must be taken to address her son’s psychological issues. As Donovan prepares for his performance, he must confront his anger and desire for attention as it alienates him from the ones he cares about.
By exploring themes of ambition and violence, like those in Macbeth, Donovan's downfall mirrors that of Shakespeare's character. We hope that this story also sheds light on the moral dilemmas many parents face in handling complicated children.
This film is about a lobotomy, a gruesome procedure that took away the soul of my great-uncle, altering the course of his life forever. He was a teenager who had OCD. The lobotomy was performed without his knowledge or consent. His mother, my great-grandmother, was promised a "miracle cure" from a salesman-like doctor. She had no idea of the repercussions.
With a pick and a hammer, this doctor, working from an office, not an operating theater, left my great-uncle emotionally blunted and hollow. What was once a passionate and creative soul became, effectively, a walking shadow. It is through this film I hope to give him a voice.
With too few exceptions, I have not seen a film that deals with lobotomy as anything more than a plot device, a ‘weapon’ to be used against the protagonist. I think the lobotomy represents social conformity, a key theme of my film and something Donovan virulently opposes; it is a mechanism of molding a person into a servant, a square peg in a square hole that blurs the line between peaceful and passive.
Alarmingly, I still see this need for control over peoples’ bodies today – in politics and private lives – which is why this story needs to be told.
We are aiming to raise $5000 to help cover major production costs, including camera rentals, locations, catering, and transportation.
- If we raise an additional $2000, we will be able to secure our grip and electric equipment, production design and costumes!
- If we raise an additional $4000, we will be able to put more funds towards distribution and post-production costs, such as color grading!
Share this Seed&Spark with your family, friends, and community. Or, you can follow our Instagram, @walkingshadowfilm for more production updates. We’re grateful for you all!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Transportation
Costs $1,000
The team wants to have the crew and equipment get to set promptly. Transportation costs will help cover this.
Cast & Crew Meals
Costs $1,500
Every day on set, the cast & crew look forward to lunch. We want to make sure that the wait is worth it with great food!
Camera Rentals
Costs $1,000
By renting camera equipment, the team will be able to further immerse the audience in the world of Walking Shadow.
Locations
Costs $1,500
We want the audience to feel fully immersed in the 1950s and the world of Walking Shadow. Securing the best locations will help with this!
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director/Editor: Jasper Gabay
Jasper Gabay is an Australian-born, New York-based filmmaker studying as a senior at New York University. Jasper has a passion for writing, directing, and editing – stemming from an appreciation of rhythm through playing percussion. Jasper loves to tell psychological stories that deal with the contradictions between objective and subjective truth. He has edited award-winning NYU thesis films and has recently edited commercial and feature films for Lost and Found Production and Scheimpflüg.
Producer: Tess Rechtweg
Tess Rechtweg is a fourth-year Film and TV student at NYU Tisch, concentrating in producing with a minor in Business Studies. Her love of filmmaking came from Tess and her dad watching classic movies together as a kid, and she hasn’t stopped watching since. As well as being the president of NYU’s Student Producers Association, Tess has been involved in the production of over 30 films. Tess is an alumnus of the prestigious Television Academy Foundation Internship Program. She has previously interned with Likely Story and Shondaland. Tess is inspired by the works of Jonathan Demme, Greta Gerwig, Rob Reiner, and Wes Anderson. She hails from Long Island, NY.
Producer: Haley Bowland
Haley Bowland is a recent graduate of NYU Tisch. Passionate about producing short films, Haley has found herself working with so many incredible directors and crew members through NYU thesis film projects. During her time at school, she interned with NBCU’s Photography Department as well as their Graphic Design Department and just recently spent three months in DC as an Executive Assistant for a non-profit. Back in NYC, Haley is excited to continue working with more films and expanding her network of collaborators.
Director of Photography: Cole Fletchall-Silva
Cole Fletchall-Silva is a cinematographer at NYU Tisch School of the Arts in his senior year. Born in the Bay Area and based in NYC, Cole has worked on numerous short films, music videos and commercials. He recently shot his first feature film. Raised on intimate character films of the 70s, Cole is excited to bring his film literacy and on-set experience to help tell the story of “Walking Shadow.”
Production Designer: Destini Gaeckler
Destini Gaeckler is an NYU Tisch Film and TV major specializing in Production Design. She has five years of experience working in the production design field working on multiple undergraduate and graduate thesis films. As a production designer, Destini is dedicated to perfecting every visual detail of the projects, from creating blueprints to building set pieces. With her background in Shakespearean theatre, she is excited to bring her knowledge and expertise to “Walking Shadow.”
Costume Designer: Sophia Guerrera
Sophia is a self-taught costumer and recent graduate of Steven’s institute of technology with a BA in Visual Art & Technology. In school, she studied design ranging from digital and print branding to 3D sculptural fine art. Outside of school, she creates large-scale, multimedia costume replicas that have traveled the northeast and won multiple awards at costuming competitions. Her passion for costuming and design education has allowed her to work on various short films, advertising, and music sets as both a stylist and costumer.